Feb 29, 2020
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has announced the temporary suspension of the entry of Gulf nationals to the holy sites of Mecca and Medina as part of the Kingdom’s precautionary measures against the deadly coronavirus.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday that the temporary ban does not cover Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals who have been in the Kingdom for 14 consecutive days without showing signs of coronavirus infection and wish to perform Umrah or visit the Prophet’s Mosque, reports Xinhua news agency.
Such GCC nationals can apply through the website of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to obtain a permit.
The government of Saudi Arabia confirmed that it was closely following developments in the spread of the virus and its repercussions.
It said that the precautionary measures were being reviewed, and additional measures will be taken.
Saudi Arabia announced on Thursday the suspension of visits to the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina and tourist visas for nationals of countries with confirmed coronavirus outbreaks.
The measures were taken after over 220 coronavirus cases were detected in the Middle East. IANS
15 labourers die after consuming spurious liquor in Amritsar
Chandigarh: At least 15 men have died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in four villages of the Majitha area in Amritsar district, officials said on Tuesday. The deceased, mostly labourers...
Chemicals in food containers, medical equipment behind spike in heart disease deaths: Lancet
New Delhi: Daily exposure to certain chemicals used in plastic items like food containers or medical equipment could be linked to an increase in deaths due to heart disease worldwide,...
Fatty liver ‘reversible’ via adoption of healthy lifestyle: JP Nadda
Delhi: Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Monday said that fatty liver is not only preventable but also reversible if people adopt a healthy lifestyle and make better food choices....
World Liver Day: Fix food habits to cut liver disease risk by 50 pc
New Delhi: Medical experts on Friday emphasised the critical link between dietary habits and liver health, saying that healthy changes today can cut liver disease risk by 50 per cent....
This drug may result in weight loss for 3 years in adults without diabetes
New Delhi: Taking tirzepatide drug once a week may produce clinically meaningful and sustained weight loss for at least 3 years in adults with overweight or obesity who do not...
Covid-induced immunity-debt behind global rise in flu cases: Study
New Delhi: A team of UK researchers has found evidence on how "immunity debt," caused by extended periods of restrictions during Covid-19 pandemic, is causing changes in global transmission patterns...
Number of AIIMS rose to 22 under Modi govt but there is no room for laxity on health services: Nadda tells House
New Delhi: Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Friday acknowledged certain ‘shortcomings’ in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) institutes across the country but categorically stated that there...
Bihar: Bird flu outbreak confirmed in Munger’s Tegra village
Patna: The Health Department of Munger in Bihar has confirmed the outbreak of Avian Influenza (H5N1), commonly known as bird flu, after half a dozen crows were found dead under...
Air pollution behind rising heart attacks in India: Experts
New Delhi: Air pollution not only affects the lungs but is also behind the increased heart attacks in the country, said public health experts on Friday. Poor air quality has...
After return to Earth, Sunita Williams undergoes rehabilitation
Washington: NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have begun a 45-day rehabilitation program to help them adapt to Earth's gravity after spending nine months in space. The duo returned...
HKU1 not a new virus, less likely to cause any widespread infection: Experts
New Delhi: Even as the news of a woman in Kolkata being infected with Human Coronavirus HKU1 has raised fresh concerns, health experts on Monday said that the virus has...
H5N1 mutation in US dairy herds prompts caution on pandemic potential
Sacramento: Scientists are sounding the alarm about a concerning genetic mutation of the H5N1 bird flu virus, recently identified in four dairy cow herds, as this mutation could increase the...
